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Timing, it's all about timing  3 Saabers Like This Post!
Posted by Notnoel [Email]  (#23) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Notnoel) on Mon, 13 Feb 2017 06:27:33
In Reply to: Auto to 5 speed conversion time, tweetiedancer, Sun, 12 Feb 2017 18:07:48 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I've done this 3 times now, the first time took about 35-40 hours, the last time about 18. The first time you do it, the learning curve and uncertainty conspire to slow you down dramatically. For instance, I bought those little tags on strings (used for yard sales) and labelled everything as I took it off; I also photographed everything with a digital camera as I tore the engine compartment down (I highly recommend both). Together, those activities probably added a couple of hours to the job - I no longer feel the need to do that. You learn tricks, like cutting a piece of 1/4 inch plywood to form a shield so that you don't have to remove the radiator. You learn that you can get the axles free from the the transmission without separating them at the hub (no need to fool with that big nut), and you learn techniques on how to wrestle the steering back in place (one of the later and more frustrating steps.
You learn that it's easier to cut the brake pedal in half and reform its shape with a hand grinder, than swap out the assembly (1.5 hours). You learn that the cable from the auto shifter to the transmission is most easily dealt with using a bolt cutter (hey, you don't need it and there's no market for it on FleaBay). It's minutes with a bolt cutter vs. 45 minutes trying to decipher what the hell Bentley is trying to tell you about removing it conventionally.
One of real critical variable is how much time do you spend moving parts from one car to the other. If its just swapping the transmissions, 2 hours to drop the autobox (figure out how to line up the dowel pin so that the two will separate (that wasted an hour and a half the first time I did it. 2 hours to join the 5 speed. An hour and a half to put the clutch an slave in (it's tricky the first time). An hour or two getting the old auto shifter out and the new assembly in.
I can get the whole engine transmission out of the car in about 3-3.5 hours, and the new one back in in about the same amount of time. Count on an hour or two figuring out the mysteries how to reverse bleed the clutch - 15 minutes once you "get it". Count on about 2 hours cumulative just standing there staring at the car trying to figure out what is the most logical thing to do next so that you don't "waste time." A great exercise is to spend the two hours reading everything you can about procedure here on Saabnet, then writing up a plan of action - it'll be wrong, but you'll be closer to the mark.
An then there's the things you ought to do while the lump is out that take time too - do them - replace the oil seals, replace the bushings on the A-arms. Think seriously about doing the steering rack if its due or nearly due (they have a75-100K lifecycle).
You'll be lucky to be in and out in a long weekend the first. Assume it'll be a long three day weekend (for one thing you are going to need SOME part that you'll have to get on Monday when the parts store opens). Some damned bolt is going to shear off and you're going to have to figure that out.
BUT DO IT! It is life changing; not just because the 5-speed experience is so far superior to the auto box, but because it is immensely rewarding personally. When you are done, you will no longer feel like there is anything you cannot do. Oh yeah, factor in an hour or two to the task for just standing there marveling in your own accomplishment. Go for it.
->Posting last edited on Mon, 13 Feb 2017 06:32:16.
, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 08:59:28, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 06:27:33 <-- Viewing This Message
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, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 05:26:19
, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:01:511, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:58:021, Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:16:31, Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:29:07, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 14:32:29, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 07:50:07
, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 16:46:51, Mon, 13 Feb 2017 20:52:11
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